How can a team outscore the opposition by three tries to two, dominate the possession and territory statistics, have a ludicrous penalty count in their favour and still lose a Heineken Cup quarter final match which was one of the most exciting games I have seen in years?
By bringing a kicker who couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo as Clermont Auvergne did against Leinster in Dublin.
Rugby is a team game and it is unfair to single out one player for a collective failure but really there is no other scapegoat than the Clermont number 10.
In the town where I grew up, the word Brock is a local term for pig swill, unwanted food residue which householders were only too pleased to contribute to local pig farmers. They were a familiar sight in my childhood, trundling through the streets with bins reeking from a week’s leftovers as they made their collections.
Last night Brock James’ kicking stank the RDS out. He landed five, but missed another five – most of them quite kickable.
He also failed abysmally with two late drop goal attempts, either of which would have put his team through.
It would have been no more than Clermont deserved because they had come, with a sizable and noisy travelling support, to do a job and they set about it with gusto.
Completely outmuscling Leinster at the breakdown they were camped in the Leinster half for the first quarter and ran up a 10 point lead. James missed one penalty attempt but converted the first of Julien Malzieu’s three tries the touchline and landed another penalty. Nothing to worry about so far.
However, Leinster were not completely without merit and struck back, first with a penalty from Sexton, who by contrast had an almost perfect night with the boot and then from a sumptuous piece of play from O’Driscoll who took two defenders out with a swing of his hips and a flip pass from the back of his hand that resembled the action of a Shane Warne googly.
The big striding Jamie Heaslip did the rest to part dodge, part crash, his way through two defenders.
Another penalty from Sexton and another try from Heaslip after a generous interpretation of the new kicking out on the full law gave Leinster a lineout 5m from the Clermont line saw the home side take an unlikely 20-10 lead.
This was helped in part by the first stage of Brock James’ kicking decline in which he missed a few penalty attempts. The last kick of the half saw Morgan Parra take over the duties but he fared no better.
The shape of the match was becoming apparent. Clermont were taking it through the phases up front and making huge inroads. Leinster, by contrast, when they did win some ball were spinning it wide at every opportunity and making the Clermont defence look shaky. It was a wonderful contrast of styles and made for a compelling contest.
In the second half Clermont came out all guns blazing and were quickly off the mark. Some powerful carrying and mauling by their forwards, with Argentinian Mario Ledesma to the fore sucked in the defence and Shane Horgan was hopelessly out of position when the ball was fed quickly to his opposite number Malzieu.
Another penalty narrowed the gap to two points. Midway through the half Clermont regained the lead when some lackadaisical defending from Horgan gave the French the time to charge down his clearance and Malzieu was on hand to finish off his hat trick.
The successful conversion put Clermont five points clear but James was still missing attempts that he should have nailed. Leinster might have had a try shortly afterwards but the TMO couldn’t be sure and so they had to settle for a consolation penalty.
The clinching score came from the only sin binning of the game when the Clermont full back flapped down a pass to counter a gaping overlap. The ensuing penalty gave Leinster a single point lead with about 12 minutes remaining.
The remainder of the match was a desperate rearguard action.
Especially when Clermont were back to full strength they camped in the Leinster 22 and James missed the first of his dropped goal attempts. That one seemed like a spur of the moment decision because he was very flat and snatched at it, much to the anger of Malzieu who felt he was in space and clearly fancied his chances of a fourth try against the out of sorts Shane Horgan.
With time up, Clermont were again camped on the 22 and bang in front of the posts. James dropped deep. Then inexplicably, the forwards decided to rumble again which only gave the opportunity to the defence to push them a little wide of the centre of the park.
James accordingly adjusted his footing but not his sights and his ensuing kick sailed wide.
“Ah the poor fecker!” someone shouted in sympathy, in between howls of delight and relief.
A wonderful match, but Leinster know they got out of jail.
Derm
Roar Guru
Spot on in your calculation, VC. Kruger has been an exceptional player this season having missed only three games out of 31 so far. He's clocked up 2,201 minutes of play. O'Callaghan the elder in contrast has played in a lot less league games, same number of H Cup games, no LV cup games, but has played test matches. And he was injured for a number of weeks, plus he got a delayed return because of Lions tour and didn't start until the 4th match of the ML rounds. He's clocked up 1,446 minutes of play, albeit about 480 of that at test level. Dylan Hartley has clocked up nearly 1,800 minutes, between league, LV, Heineken and test matches.
Fitzer
Guest
Not so sure Cheika hasn't used the press to his advantage, an auld Declan Kidney trick. Never expected that O'Connell wouldn't play on Saturday until I didn't see him coming out on the pitch but had heard the rumors all day.
Pajovic
Guest
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/heineken-cup/bad-break-2135348.html This seems to be the situation, so regardless it isn't looking so good.
Pajovic
Guest
Hang on, th story has vanished again from rte............ He's still a seriou doubt though. I hope he plays.
Pothale
Guest
Bugger! That is a big blow. Berne has folded under pressure this season. Unless he has a big day out, Toulouse are laughing. Noves will be a happy man. Also doesn't help Leinster's league run-in either. Cheika was secretly hoping he'd achieve the double this season to sign off his tenure.
Pajovic
Guest
Sexton out of the Heino Semi Final. Just confirmed there. Berne eh? Can't see them doing it now. Munster Toulouse it is!!
Colin N
Guest
fair enough.
Pajovic
Guest
That's exactly why they don't have that system in the GP I suspect. ;)
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Interesting. Better hope they keep winning then. People might not be so keen to subsidise a bunch of losers!
el_Pajovic
Roar Rookie
Fair point VC, they can claim back a percentage of tax paid on their ten most 'lucrative' seasons (once they have retired). This goes for foreign players too and is an advantage for sure. I think that it is a good idea. A similar scheme is in place for musicians. The vast majoyiry of whm dont have two pence to rub together. In my opinion, I think that for Ireland retaining their best players means that the interest is retained in the game. Kids like winners. Kids like seeing their winners in the flesh without having to fly to the Nou Camp or Old Trafford to see them. In addition, parents like not having to shell out for such visits, instead, grab a few magners tickets on the cheap and bring all the kids along. Everyone wins, including the Irish provence ususally. Kids can relate to their own Irish heroes that live on their streets, or live in their cities. Success in obtaining a career is more tangible than that of a soccer star. Accordingly, this drives a hell of a lot of irish kids to play rugby. This wasn't the case 10-15 years ago. its popularity has exploded. Soccer is at risk of being left behind. Gaelic Footie and Hurling are always popular, but hurling is suffering in Limerick if the accounts I hear are true. Playing for smaller clubs like Galwegians or Garryowen, kids can see players that used to train on the same pitches, now having made the step up to provential level. Talented junior grade kids play in the under age provential system. This makes hard work an ambition seem worthwhile and achievable, it also makes success feel within touching distance. So, yes, tax breaks for rugger stars are a good idea. Keeps the interest in the game at the higest possible levels.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Pajovic, don't forget the special tax arrangements that Irish players enjoy. Most of the big names would probably be playing in France but for that. I'm sure the GP wishes HM Treasury was so generous. (Actually, on that point, do you agree with this in principle? Should well-paid rugby players receive a tax break whilst the Irish economy is in turmoil?)
el_Pajovic
Roar Rookie
Colin N, believe me I understand accounts. Lower league English soccer has nothing to do with this. An operating budget is a detailed projection of all estimated income and expenses based on forecasted sales revenue during a given period (usually one year). It generally consists of several sub-budgets, most important one being the sales budget which is prepared first, following this all out goings can be assessed, i.e. salaries, etc. This would take into account sponsorship (Toyota) etc. That total budget was 5.5 last year. Don't forget that most of their squad are home grown players. Something that is rare in such abundance in GP sides. Also, irish players are more likely to stay in ireland as that is where they are most marketable. Sponsors provide Irish stars with their own personal sponsorship as they are huge names in ireland. Move to the UK or France, then your are lesser known and therefore less marketable therefore u get less sponsorship So.......they stay in ireland. I think you need to know when someone has perhaps proven their point. There are few people who are more often in the wrong than those who cannot endure to be so. ;)
Colin N
Guest
Fair enough, but the operating budget doesn't quite hold out for me, logically. I'm guessing that most clubs in Football's league one have an operating budget (as you call it) similar or higher than Munster's (excluding Leeds and Norwich) and I'm pretty sure the football club I support (Macclesfield Town), have an operating budget similar to Connacht's - this despite paying less on wages, seemingly. Northampton apparently pays out around 5.5m on salaries (includng staff wages), yet you are surely not telling me that the likes of Wallace, O'Gara, Mafi, Warwick, Quinlan, De Villiers (as we know) aren't on hefty salaries? It may not be as much as some GP players, but it's certainly going to be a lot more than the likes of Joe Ansbro, Chris Mayor, Christian Day are on. What would be more interesting would be to see a complete breakdown of their finances. You know an operating budget doesn't just mean the amount of money they have available but simply a breakdown of their income and expenses? An operating budget doesn't take into account investments - De Villiers may well have been paid for by a sponsor.
el_Pajovic
Roar Rookie
I posted this above in the incorrect slot, so I think Colin N failed to see it: Colin N: Yes in 2006, it was 3,6 mill. As I stated. In 2009 their operaating budget was 5.5. Let me go have a look. Here goes for 2009: ‘Montauban, Munster’s opponents in the pool stages of the Heineken Cup have an annual operating budget of €9.5 million. Munster’s is said to be close to €5.5 million this season. One report this week suggested that French clubs were willing to offer Springboks centre Jean de Villiers a whopping €500,000 a year to lure him away from South Africa. Munster are unlikely to get involved in a bidding war of that magnitude. But money isn’t everything for today’s top professional rugby players. Moving to play for the two-time Heineken Cup champions is an attractive proposition. The club has ambition, boasts a terrific work ethic and sense of comraderie. Players quickly buy into that ethos.’ Source: http://limerickleader-thelockerroom.blogspot.com/2009/05/across-gain-line-with-colm-kinsella.html Munster is a real rugby team. Players’ like that. It’s nice to work in a non-mercenary environment unlike that of the GP I would imagine (mostly, c’mon be honest). As for ‘probably yes…….’ please do better than that. I have given you footnotes/links to my facts. I would be most grateful if you would do the same. The fact is, is that the 4m sterling cap is already more than any Irish team could fork out on salaries for players. Munster and Leinster chose their foreign signing carefully and usually have only one or two ‘marquee’ SH signings. The rest of he squad is all home grown and then another handful of foreign ‘cheaper’ imports. Colin RSVP!
Rugby Fan
Guest
The insight that Stephen Jones develops man crushes on players is, simultaneously, wonderfully funny and very unsettling. I'm curious about that late non-penalty in the Ospreys game. A number of reports have suggested that the Biarritz coach, Jean-Michel Gonzalez, thought it should have been a penalty. He's quoted as saying: “Frankly, I thought it was a penalty...The decision was peculiar for its interpretation. I interpreted it was a penalty by the way the referee reacted.” I'm probably being pedantic here but, if that's all he said, then I'm not sure it does mean he thought Yachvili ought to have been penalized. I take him to be saying only that he thought the referee had in fact signalled for a penalty. On the subject of commentators and journalists, I find it most off-putting that most of the leading names have a permanent bee in the bonnet about something and every observation they make about rugby is seen through that prism. It gets very tiresome. Brian Moore now spends most of his game commentating on the performance of the referee and usually has to say "If I'm wrong, I'll apologize," a couple of times a match because he hasn't called it correctly. In his GP stints, Stuart Barnes will often over-praise or unnecessarily single out players he thinks should be first choice for England. It's usually about 20 back line players a season and one or two forwards he spots offloading occasionally. You can't help but feel these guys have gone in just looking for supporting evidence for their crusades rather than watching the match. I wouldn't read too much into the failure of English clubs this season and I'm quite optimistic for next season. Many people picked the French clubs to perform this year in the Heineken Cup. While it's true that they have often fielded understrength sides in away fixtures during the group stages, there did seem a greater sense of purpose this year so the Cup wasn't subordinated so much to the domestic competition. English clubs could well pick themselves up in the same way. It's also worth pointing out that neither Saracens or Wasps qualified for the Cup this year. I'm not suggesting either would have been likely winners but, at different times, they have been among the top performers in the GP. Two clubs that did qualify were at sixes and sevens in the early part of the season. Gloucester looked dreadful and Quins still seemed traumatized after Bloodgate. Both clubs are finishing the season in better shape. In many respects, it's Wales who have had a poorer season than they hoped. Fourth in the Six Nations behind an England team most of Wales thinks can't play rugby; No semi-finalist in the Heineken Cup and a possibility the Scarlets won't qualify for next year's competition. That wouldn't be ideal World Cup preparation for Stephen Jones (the player).
el_Pajovic
Roar Rookie
Colin N: Yes in 2006, it was 3,6 mill. As I stated. In 2009 their operaating budget was 5.5. Let me go have a look. Here goes for 2009: 'Montauban, Munster’s opponents in the pool stages of the Heineken Cup have an annual operating budget of €9.5 million. Munster’s is said to be close to €5.5 million this season. One report this week suggested that French clubs were willing to offer Springboks centre Jean de Villiers a whopping €500,000 a year to lure him away from South Africa. Munster are unlikely to get involved in a bidding war of that magnitude. But money isn’t everything for today’s top professional rugby players. Moving to play for the two-time Heineken Cup champions is an attractive proposition. The club has ambition, boasts a terrific work ethic and sense of comraderie. Players quickly buy into that ethos.' Source: http://limerickleader-thelockerroom.blogspot.com/2009/05/across-gain-line-with-colm-kinsella.html Munster is a real rugby team. Players' like that. It's nice to work in a non-mercenary environment unlike that of the GP I would imagine (mostly, c'mon be honest). As for 'probably yes.......' please do better than that. I have given you footnotes/links to my facts. I would be most grateful if you would do the same. The fact is, is that the 4m sterling cap is already more than any Irish team could fork out on salaries for players. Munster and Leinster chose their foreign signing carefully and usually have only one or two 'marquee' SH signings. The rest of he squad is all home grown and then another handful of foreign 'cheaper' imports.
Colin N
Guest
"You’re telling that Leicester, Harlequins, Saracens, Northampton, Gloucester etc have less to spend than the Irish teams? Wrong!" Probably, yes. If so, they would have been the ones signing Jean De Villiers and not Munster. Munster also offered more money for Luke McAlister before he moved to Sale. "Their ( Munster)whole ‘operating budget last year was 5.5 million EURO." Have you got a link to that? That article was from 2006.
el_Pajovic
Roar Rookie
I've seen him play openside a few times too. I admit that he is a hooker, but I have seen him play back row as well.
el_Pajovic
Roar Rookie
The last game is a corker Connacht/Ulster at Ravenhill. Winner takes all?
el_Pajovic
Roar Rookie
Colin N: 'Yes, in general meaning the likes of Ulster, Connacht, Scarlets, Dragons etc. Munster, Leinster and the Ospreys will have more resources than GP clubs. And rather coincidently, who were the ML sides in the quarter-finals? Nice try Colin N. But, the truth is somewhat different. You're telling that Leicester, Harlequins, Saracens, Northampton, Gloucester etc have less to spend than the Irish teams? Wrong! Here's an interesting article that was penned just before the HC final in 2006. Here is how much success cost Munster in 2006: http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/32m-a-small-price-to-pay-for-munster-98623.html 'While not enriched to the same munificent degree as the French giants, Munster have still managed to punch above their weight on the European stage, a tribute to their innate competitiveness and the quaint, on this occasion accurate, cliche that money doesn't necessarily buy success'. Bear in mind that 'operating budget pays everything. Not just the players, it pays for cleaners, grounds men, overheads such as rent, electricity,staff, coaches, etc. Most of the players in Ireland are not in the same wage bracket as O’Driscoll or Paul O’Connell and, elite internationals aside, would earn €50,000 to €60,000 a year. Connacht's budget is half that again. Their ( Munster)whole 'operating budget last year was 5.5 million EURO. Not GBP. Once again, this pays everything. All overheads. Not just players salaries. Connacht, with about 2.7 million Euro (operating budget) to 'throw around' are in the Amlin Semi finals. Not bad. How does that compare to the GP\s top sides?